Stories about friendships
Heartwarming Stories of True Friendship
If you’re lucky, you’ll find one person who brightens your day, lends an ear, and inspires you. RD readers share stories of their best buds.
CONSTANCE BANNISTER CORP/GETTY IMGESI grew up in a family that didn’t show affection. I knew I was loved, but it was rarely expressed, either in words or with a hug. Then, at the age of 40, I met Judy. I quickly noticed how often she told her kids she loved them and how she hugged everyone hello and goodbye. As with any habit, I picked it up, and the more I did so, the easier it became for me. Now I never fail to hug friends or family members, and it has completely changed how I relate to them. It’s an awesome feeling! Oh, I love you, Judy! Betty Plough, Traverse City, Michigan. These are little things that you can do to be a true friend.
Five months after my husband, my two-year-old daughter, and I moved 2,000 miles from home, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with severely clubbed feet. This marked the beginning of a long series of doctor appointments. Taking care of two young children, one of whom required constant medical attention, meant that I was always tired and behind on my household chores. One day, we came home from yet another doctor’s visit to find the front door ajar. I cautiously proceeded into the house, only to find the floors spotless, the dishes cleaned and dried, and the dirty laundry washed and folded. Upstairs, the beds were made, and there were even flowers in a vase beside my bed. It turns out that my friend Joy was driving by my home and noticed my car was gone, so she took the opportunity to help me out. I learned an important lesson that day about compassion. And this friendship was sealed for life! Judith Heicksen, Santa, Idaho
My fiancé walked out on me three days before our wedding. Now every year on the anniversary of the day I would have been married, my best friend texts me a hilarious (and completely inappropriate) picture, reminding me I dodged a bullet.
His humor makes a hard day better. Jason Woods, via Twitter
Because we are all over the country, my three closest friends (Miranda, Rachel, and Johlandi) and I keep in touch via group texting. We share daily struggles, complaints, triumphs, and, most of all, laughs. These special ladies respond nonjudgmentally to whatever I tell them, allowing me to be as vulnerable as I please. Conversely, it’s a blessing to help them through their difficult times. Having such receptive friends has taught me that life is more fun and meaningful when I share myself with others. Lauren Young, Rockingham, Virginia.
After my wife of 44 years died, I didn’t feel the urge to socialize. But that didn’t stop my friend Tony from inviting me to join a group of guys who got together every Thursday for dinner. I told him I wasn’t ready. He called again the next week, and again I said no. He kept calling every week, and finally I said, “OK, I’ll go. Anything to keep you from calling me every week.
” It has now been six years since my wife died, and thanks to Tony, I have been going to dinner every week with the gang we’ve dubbed ROMEO— Retired Old Men Eating Out. David Fenwick, Ocean Township, New Jersey
One night after teaching a late class, I found a sticky note on the window of my car. It read “You are beautiful inside and out” and featured a little heart. I never did find out which one of my friends left it for me, but it is still on my dashboard and means more than anything to me. Jennie Berglund, Burnsville, Minnesota
After seven years of teaching, I was let go before the school year ended. I was devastated. Making matters worse, some of the other teachers stopped talking to me. But one coworker stood by me, going so far as to ask the principal to let me work with her till the end of the school year. He reluctantly agreed. Continuing to work gave me back my dignity. I’m now at another job, where I am happy and confident.
Beth Klementovic, Exton, Pennsylvania
Today is my birthday, and I know my friend Linda is making me a cake. Sometimes when you’re an adult, no one thinks to do that for you. Tamara Castellari, Parachute, Colorado
COURTESY LORRAINE MORROWIn my senior year of high school, my mother passed away. Dad, who lived in Seattle, wanted me to live with him. But my friend Joy invited me to stay with her and her father until I graduated. Joy’s mother had passed away a few years earlier, so Joy understood my terrible loss and depression. Because of her generosity, I was able to complete my last year of high school with all my friends, affording me a bit of normalcy. Lorraine Morrow, Bonney Lake, Washington
My best friend and I are both trying to lose weight, so we text each other every day to check in. He encourages me to work out when I don’t want to or to put down the ice cream. It really helps me stay on track.
Rick Nelson, via Twitter
When I was pregnant, I felt—and acted—as if I had PMS for the entire nine months. My best friend, Laura, told me she was calling me every other day to make sure someone was still speaking to me. That is true friendship. Gail Bua, Nutley, New Jersey
Whenever I visited Ruth at the rest home, I’d always greet her with, “Good morning, sweetie.” She, in turn, would say, “Heeeyyyyyy! I’ve been missing you.” For as long as I knew Ruth, she greeted me with “I’ve been missing you,” even if I’d just seen her that morning. And when I’d leave, it was always, “Come back!” As if you need more of a reason to have friends, these facts prove that friends are healthy for us.
Ruth was my first friend in South Carolina. Our house was built on her property. I went over and introduced myself one day and told her that I’m out every morning and if she liked, I could bring her newspaper to her door. She said, “Well, I suppose that would be all right.
” It wasn’t long after that I started bringing her the afternoon mail and cookies too. And soon I started taking her to the library, doctors, and the store.
At the rest home, if Ruth’s breakfast tray was ready, I’d pick it up. I knew how she liked her grits, with just a bit of butter and salt, and that she really, really liked orange juice and always got two glasses. After a bit, it would be time to go. She’d give me a kiss and tell me to “come back!”
I am ashamed to admit that at one time, both my grandmothers were in convalescent homes and I rarely visited them. I cannot change the person I was, but I can try to be a better person today. Ruth is no longer with us, but I wish to God that I could “come back” and visit with her again. Janet Alden, Inman, South Carolina
Lisa comes over, and we do each other’s nails while we lie in bed watching TV like high school girls. Shannon Hagen, Minneapolis, Minnesota
When I was nine, I had a friend with the unusual name of Westa Joy.
I can still picture her wild, naturally curly hair; her porcelain skin; and her sparkling hazel eyes. I, on the other hand, was overweight and shy. We used to walk laughing and holding hands down a sandy dirt road in southeastern New Mexico. She would tell me the plot of the latest Nancy Drew book she was reading. I had never read a book, and I didn’t want to. Reading was much too difficult for me because I was dyslexic. But thanks to Westa’s storytelling, I eventually bought all the Nancy Drew books. Thank you, my dear childhood friend, for giving me the joy of reading. Essie Bowden, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
COURTESY MEGHAN SIMECEKI came down with a horrible stomach bug when my husband was out of town. My best friend showed up with saltines, Sprite, essential oils, and—the best part—her Netflix password. Meghan Simecek, Friendswood, Texas
Dawn, my friend and coworker at the public defender’s office, would bring me some of her dinner from the night before and leave it in the fridge at work when I was in the middle of a long trial.
This way, I wouldn’t have to worry about feeding myself on late nights. Adrianne McMahon, Faribault, Minnesota
If she knows I’m having a rough day, my friend will show up and take my kids for the day. By just showing up instead of calling, Stacy knows I can’t tell her not to come. Courtney Clements, Nampa, Idaho
I met Mary Lou 14 years ago, while tending the grave of my 34-year-old son Kevin just weeks after he passed. Mary Lou was visiting her son Gary. She smiled, and soon we were sharing our stories—not only about our sons but about life in general. On my next visit with Kevin, I saw a piece of paper sticking out from under a rock—an inspirational note from Mary Lou. I wrote her back and put my note under the same rock. A week later, I returned to find another note from Mary Lou. We went back and forth like this for years. Today, we still see each other, but usually over a hot fudge sundae. We talk and laugh and rarely feel the need to discuss our deep pain.
That’s why we are friends for life. Patricia Coler-Dark, Concord, California
Shannon, my best friend of over 26 years, and I text each other every morning with “Good morning, beautiful!” or “Hello, gorgeous!” That way, we both start the day with a smile. Katrina La Force, Petaluma, California
When I was four, my mother had her hands full with six children. Luckily, there was our neighbor Berla. Berla, 48, had no children, so I had her full attention. She taught me simple things, like how to care for my teeth, as well as big things, like a love of long walks. She also taught me to play cribbage, which came with these words of advice: “There is a perfect strategy for every hand dealt.” That concept has impacted every aspect of my life. Linda Sealock, Reno, Nevada
My best friend in college taught me spontaneity. One day Christie persuaded me to run around campus dressed in battle armor and wielding a cardboard sword, all while laughing maniacally.
People stared at us, but we had too much fun to care. Caroline Samuels, Logan, Utah
I was having a horrible day dealing with job and divorce stress, and my friend Anna brought me ice cream. Just having her show up to listen to me whine was exactly what I needed. Tracy Clark, Lakeville, Minnesota. If you want to show your friend how much they mean to you, get them one of these best friend gifts.
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8 Remarkable Stories of the Most Unlikely Friendships
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Would you pal around with your spouse’s ex? Or buddy up to someone who put a foot in your face? These readers did—and found lifelong companions.
Bill & Giovanni
I met my best friend, Bill Cervenka, at work.
I was 23, and he was 85, but it seemed I had more in common with him than with any friends my age. We were both really stubborn. He always had an umbrella, and whenever it was raining after work, he used to say, “Let me walk you to your car.” I would always decline the offer, but he would say, “I’m walking you to your car whether you like it or not.”
Bill and I always took the same lunch break. He didn’t recognize many of my Mexican dishes and often asked what I was eating. I always offered him a taste, along with some of my Oreos. Eventually it became our tradition that every time a new limited edition Oreo flavor was released, we waited to try it together.
Bill passed away in April 2019. I miss him every day. Now I always carry my umbrella and make sure people without one don’t get wet. And when someone declines my offer, I say, “I’m walking you whether you like it or not.” —Giovanni Paz Villa, Plainfield, Illinois. These heartwarming stories of true friendship will make you call your bestie.
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Jana Fisher
Jana & Tina
Tina is my best friend. She is also my husband’s ex-wife. When we first met, she and Bob had been divorced for more than 12 years, and he and I had been dating only a short time. We didn’t become close friends right away. It took years of getting to know each other and seeing each other for who we truly are. We’ve stood together through difficult times and family hardships. We’ve shared wonderful holiday celebrations, and we were together to see the birth of our first grandson. Even though we now live 1,500 miles apart, Bob and I still vacation with her and her husband, and Saturday is our “phone call” day. She has brought so much joy and love into my life. I don’t know what I’d do without my best friend. —Jana Fisher, Port Charlotte, Florida
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Bobby Mills
Bill & Bobby
Bill Greenhaw was a retired school principal who looked rather stern.
He was an organist and highly respected in our church. I wore leather jackets and rode a motorcycle. One day, I jokingly asked him if he would like to go out to lunch with me on my bike. To my surprise, he accepted!
He was the opposite of me in so many ways, but he enjoyed riding with me on my bike. We took many rides together, but he never told anyone about them. I think it brought out a sense of adventure in him, and I was the only person he felt comfortable sharing that side of himself with. He was shy around most people. At his funeral, I told his family about our rides, and they were astonished. I miss his kind and gentle character, and our rides together. —Bobby Mills, Macon, Georgia
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Mary Potter Kenyon
Mary & Cecil
It was my husband, David, who urged me to read a book by Cecil Murphey and to apply for a scholarship he was offering for a writing conference in 2012. By the time I learned I had won it, my husband had unexpectedly died.
I wanted to meet the man who was responsible for my scholarship, so I attended a conference where he was speaking. When I heard a few months later that his wife had died, I began writing him letters. I may have been nearly 30 years younger than he was, but this was one path I had walked before him. I sent him portions of my book in progress, and he ended up writing a foreword for that book.
I write him a long letter at least once a month. I ask for his advice on writing, life, faith, even dating. He answers by e-mail, never failing to say exactly what I need to hear. I’ve saved all of his e-mails, more than 125 of them. I can honestly say that an 87-year-old man is one of my best friends. —Mary Potter Kenyon, Dubuque, Iowa. Here are the secrets to making a lifelong friend.
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Sue Wallace
Sue & Karen
We are the same age. And we both like to sing. That’s where the similarities stop. The differences go on and on.
We met more than 20 years ago in our local church choir. Karen is a lovely, quiet woman who would never think of using makeup. And then there’s me. I put makeup on to take out the garbage, and I don’t have an inside voice.
So, why are we friends? Because we share our ethics, our faith, and our music. We love each other for being ourselves and for being good people with good hearts. When we meet for breakfast, I show up in my brightly colored top, and she comes in with her hair tied back and her thrift store jeans. I sit and sip my coffee with flavored creamer while she enjoys her glass of plain water, and we talk for hours. We just work. She is one of my favorite people. —Sue Wallace, Chesterfield, Missouri
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Susan Liss
Connie & Susan
I met Connie in 1976, when we were both competing in a tae kwon do tournament. Both red belts, we had been paired to compete against each other. As we sat next to each other waiting for our match, Connie began to talk to me.
She was friendly and had a wonderful smile. I was struck by how nice she was. Then we got up to compete. Connie suddenly put on the fiercest face you can imagine. This terrified me. Out of self-preservation, I proceeded to kick her in the head—twice—and won the match.
Despite this, Connie and I became close friends. And despite our many differences, we have remained friends throughout the last 43 years. Connie is Black and I am White. She was raised in a big city and I was brought up in a small town. Connie is a liberal Democrat and I am a conservative Republican.
Connie now lives on the East Coast and I live in northern Wisconsin, but we keep in touch through social media. One of her favorite things to do is to introduce me as her bestie who put a foot in her face. —Susan Liss, Summit Lake, Wisconsin
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Ron Drum
Bernice & Ron
The year was 1981. I was working as the coordinator of Know America, an educational experience for adults in Washington, DC.
Bernice was the coordinator of a group of about 40 of her fellow North Dakotans who were attending a weeklong Know America program in October.
On the last day of the week, I saw Bernice picking up the huge sycamore leaves falling from the trees that lined the center’s driveway. Sycamore leaves are not great fall leaves—they tend to just turn brown and fall down. “We don’t have a lot of trees in North Dakota. At least, none like these!” she explained as she chose another specimen for her scrapbook.
As soon as I could, I went out and found some far better fall leaves for Bernice—red and orange maple leaves, yellow aspen, orange-red sassafras—and I included them in the envelope along with my thank-you letter to her for attending the program.
That’s how I came to learn the truth: Bernice wanted those particular leaves for their size, not their color. Bernice told me that she had never seen leaves so large and that was why she was picking them up.
It made for a great joke, and we laughed about it all year as we planned her next group’s Know America experience.
We quickly became close friends, and we’ve remained close friends ever since.
Last year, I sent leaf stickers to Bernice for her birthday. In return, she sent me a copy of the book Last of the Breed by her favorite author, Louis L’Amour. Inside, she had placed a leaf sticker on every sentence in the book that mentioned a leaf or leaves, 34 stickers in total. —Ron Drum, Drums, Pennsylvania
Istvan Banyai for Reader's Digest, Courtesy Suzanne Ryan
Wayne & Suzanne
In 1977, I was a ten-year-old tomboy growing up in rural upstate New York. I still remember Wayne’s voice on the phone telling me, “Suzanne, your horses are in the garden again and Dolly [his wife] and Hazel [his mother] are mad!” Wayne kept me company while I got the troublemakers out of the garden.
Wayne was 85 when I introduced him to my husband. Now my husband and I see him every time we travel home. We have a standing birthday breakfast date every year. In 2020, Wayne turned 100.
—Suzanne Ryan, Cummington, Massachusetts. Here are some adorable animal friendships that might surprise you.
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Tales and stories about friendship, friends. Over 80 works.
A true friend is known in trouble and in joy, he will give the last piece of bread, he will come to the rescue, he will cheer. With a real friend, nothing is scary and always interesting. Finding such a person is not easy, but the heroes of fairy tales and stories about friendship were able to meet their soul mate! Read fascinating stories from the lives of your friends on the Mishka Books website.
Grade 1New Year's story about how the children made a snowman and sent him to the forest to Santa Claus for a Christmas tree ... Christmas tree to read This morning the guys looked at the calendar, and there was the last sheet left. Tomorrow is the New Year! Tomorrow…
Grade 1 Kitten named Woof — a series of short stories about the adventures of the kitten Woof and his friend, Sharik the puppy.
Ridiculous situations constantly happen to Gav, as soon as he goes out into the yard. Together with his friend, he manages...
The story is about how the Hedgehog, before hibernation, ask the Rabbit to save him a piece of winter until spring. The rabbit rolled up a large ball of snow, wrapped it in leaves and hid it in his hole. “About the Hedgehog and the Rabbit: A Piece…
Grade 1-2A story about one serious and independent boy, whose name was Uncle Fyodor and his friends: the cat Matroskin and the dog Sharik. Uncle Fyodor's mother did not like animals very much and did not want to start them. To live with a cat…
Grade 1A fairy tale about a wooden boy carved from a log by Carlo's father, his adventures in the theater of Karabas Barabas, meeting with scoundrels Alice the Fox and Basilio the Cat, Malvina and Artemon the poodle, Tortila the turtle and Duremar. Read “Pinocchio” to the Joiner…
A tale about a hedgehog, a hare and a crow who could not share the last apple among themselves.
Everyone wanted to own it. But the fair bear judged their dispute, and each got a piece of delicacy ... "Apple" read It was late ...
A story about the Hedgehog, how he walked at night and got lost in the fog. He fell into the river, but someone carried him to the shore. It was a magical night! “The Hedgehog in the Fog” read In the evenings, the Hedgehog went to the Bear Cub in…
A fairy tale about a mammoth that melted out of the ice and went to look for his mother. But all mammoths died out long ago, and the wise Uncle Walrus advised him to sail to Africa, where elephants live, which are very similar to mammoths. Read your favorite…
Grade 2A funny story about how a parrot taught a monkey to do exercises. And then the monkey began to teach her friends different exercises. But it turned out that not everyone can repeat simple exercises. Therefore, everyone needs a personal charge! "Charging...
A story about a real crocodile that lived in Africa. Everything about him was terrible: head, tail, mouth and teeth.
All the animals around him were very afraid. But once the crocodile's teeth ached a lot. "Ma-Tari-Kari" read Once upon a time there was a Crocodile. No, no, ...
The fairy tale teaches to help others, to be kind and sympathetic. The animals helped each other to hide from the rain under the mushroom, and then they saved the hare from the fox ... Read under the mushroom Once upon a time the Ant was caught in a heavy rain. Where to hide?…
Grade 3An interesting and informative story about two friends who bought two toy phones to talk to each other. Yes, only Mishka decided to disassemble his apparatus and see how it works. And to collect, as it was, and ...
Grade 2The Magic Ring is a fairy tale about a kind young man Martynka, who, instead of buying bread, saved a cat and a dog, and with a top and a beautiful girl, having received a magic ring from her father as a gift. When in the house to…
A fairy tale about how the animals in the forest decided to arrange a holiday for an old and respected spruce tree, which was 100 years old.
Her birthday was in the summer, and she wanted to look like on New Year's Eve. “Birthday…
The story tells the reader why the dog could not make friends with either the hare, or the wolf, or the bear. Only with a man did she find a common language… (retelling by KT Samorodov) Like a dog looking for a friend to read Long ago in…
A story about two friends who were left alone at the dacha for two days. When leaving, my mother explained how to cook porridge and soup. Yes, only the boys did not listen to advice at all. Read how friends caught fleeing porridge, got a bucket ...
Grade 1A funny story about Mishutka and Stasik, who told each other all kinds of fables - they competed who would lie to whom. One day neighbor Igor sat down on the bench. The boy told how he really deceived his mother by eating half a jar of jam...
Grade 1 A fairy tale about the fact that mind and ingenuity can turn even an ordinary wand into a lifesaver. So the hare stumbled on a stick, and the hedgehog took it with him.
And not in vain. On the way home, she is very…
A tale about a kind and sympathetic hare who went in search of food for his rabbits. He picked up a whole bag of apples, but distributed them all along the way. The wolf prevented him from collecting apples for the second time. However, the hares did not stay ...
An interesting story about two cranes having a rest. One crane lay on the grass all the way, and the other helped the animals: someone to get a bucket from the river, someone to lift a basket on a spruce. Guess which crane had a good rest…
Stories and stories about friendship, friends and girlfriends · New — Your site about love
True, sincere friendship is what unites people of any age, gender and even worldview. It helps to solve any problems and do great things. Often it is from friendship that true love is born. And then, thanks to friendly understanding and support, these feelings remain strong for life.
Funny and touching to tears, real and incredible stories and stories about true friendship, true friends and best friends - you can read all this in this section.
Do you have a true friend or a beloved girlfriend? How long have you been talking? What adventures or situations did you have, how did your friendship help you? Share a story about your friendship or read a lot of other people's stories.
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I am 30 years old, divorced and dating a guy much younger than me. He is 16 and has reached the legal age of consent. We have an interesting relationship with him - educational. I enlighten him in many everyday things, the intricacies of love, relationships. I tell you how to behave in various life situations
She was walking down the street, and everyone was looking after her. Men - with admiration, girls - with envy, some simply admired her beauty. She was pleased with this attention, although she had long been accustomed to it.
She would have to go to the fashion model, but she worked as a teacher in a kindergarten. She loved children. And not
- Yul, you have changed so much. You have become indifferent to my feelings, me, what I think ... You are completely different. - Yeah, well, nonsense. Ok, I'm the same! Truth! - Then tell me, what is the name of my current boyfriend? “Um…” I stammered. - What was required to prove! You don't know! And all because you don't listen to me
Finally it happened! I took the documents from the educational institution and transferred to another school, which I dreamed of getting into for two years. My joy knew no bounds. It's been a couple of months of my studies. Once I went with my classmate to the deputy director, Camille (that's the name of my
A small dialogue on the net… We met so recently, and every day I get to know his nature better… No, I don’t, but I would like such a friend and such friendship.
Yes, even such a strange one… ***** - Ah, smile, - I wrote a banal stupidity, accompanied by two
They were best friends... As usual: they spent all the time together, chatted on the phone in the evenings, sat at the same desk in the morning, and walked in the afternoon, discussed the boys and just laughed out loud, sometimes for no reason at all, like all girls of their age . Sveta and Rita even swore an oath of true friendship
A week has passed. Marina felt good with her parents, everyone rushed about her and her unborn child, he was desired. And it does not matter that the unborn baby will not have a father, it does not matter ... The main thing is that he is born healthy. Taking care of their daughter, her parents, together with Marina, moved to the dacha, so as not to breathe
In 1985, a boy and a girl were born in the same ward of the maternity hospital two days apart.
The girl was named Nastya, the boy - Kostya. Two babies did not suspect that in the future they would live in neighboring houses, go to the same kindergarten group and school class, and then one of them would invite the other to the wedding. A
Many books have been written about friendship between a man and a woman, many films have been made and many songs have been invented. But each person lives in his own way. So fate led me to friendship with a guy. With a handsome guy. We met when he moved into our class. At first glance I didn't like it at all
I never fully understood it. Yes, we were best friends, but I could not understand some of her actions ... She was always popular with the opposite sex. Long hair dyed dark, thin make-up on her already pretty face, beautiful legs, slender figure
- As always, a double cognac for me, - keeping my head full of thoughts about what had piled on, once again I made an order to the bartender. "Young man, is that enough?" - he suggested to me with a grin.
- I asked for a double cognac! I took the liberty of raising my tone a little. The bartender pushed my
This freckled red-haired kid with a shock of unruly hair was a kindergarten thunderstorm. Who bruised Vaska from the parallel group? Warbler! Who chased the girls with a fly swatter during nap time? Warbler! Who broke Valentina Andreevna's favorite vase? Well, of course, Slavka! And only before the fragile
- Oh Grey, hello! - Bear?! Hello! They met in the lobby of a huge office building. Two bosom comrades who became friends in kindergarten, studied in the same class and then in the same group of the institute. We studied together, fell in love together, fought for each other - there is no stronger friendship. Ways
Anton, Vitya and Igor have known each other since childhood. They lived in the same house, went to the same kindergarten, school. And of course, this became the reason that they became best friends.
